Final answer:
Massage therapists primarily work on the soft tissues of the body to improve joint mobility and range of motion. However, direct manipulation of the skeleton is generally outside their practice. The mobility of joints varies according to their structural classification.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement, "Stimulation from massage often improves joint mobility and range of motion, however direct work on the skeleton is considered outside of the scope of a massage therapist's practice" is true. In the field of massage therapy, techniques are used to stimulate the soft tissues of the body such as muscles, tendons, and ligaments, which can subsequently improve joint mobility and range of motion. However, direct work on the skeleton such as bone manipulations are generally beyond their scope of practice and is usually performed by specified medical professionals.
One of the reasons is that each synovial joint in the body is specialized to perform certain movements, and the allowed movements are determined by the structural classification of each joint. For instance, a ball-and-socket joint such as the shoulder joint, allows a great range of motion due to its little ligament support. Contrastingly, the hip joint that is supported by strong ligaments has a reduced range of motion but offers stability.
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